NEWS RELEASE rnrnNovember 22, 2013rnrnContact: Vickie Grantz rnPhone: 580-233-1325 rnEmail: enidspca@suddenlinkmail.com or Kyla at barkaveenid@yahoo.comrnWeb site: enidspca.org or barkaveenid.comrnrnBark Avenue Pet Taxi and Sitter Service LLC rnSponsors and coordinates The Fifth Annual Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drive rnto benefit the Enid SPCA Food BankrnrnWhat: As part of an international effort spearheaded by Pet Sitters International (PSI),rnthe largest association for professional pet sitters, The Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food rnDrive serves to collect pet food for local shelters. Proceeds from this drive will rngo to the Enid SPCA Food Bank.rnrnThe SPCA has a Pet Food Pantry, this program in place to help local residents who sometimes struggle with pet expenses. This can include many different situations from a loss of rnincome to simply being on a fixed income. We don’t want anyone to have to choose rnbetween grocery expenses or pet food expenses. Hopefully this help can prevent rnfamilies from possibly having to surrender their pet to a shelter for financial reasons. rnAll donations are greatly appreciated!rnrnWho: The Fifth Annual Hungry Bowl™ Pet Food Drivernis being sponsored by rnBark Avenue Pet Taxi and Sitter Service LLC. rnWith Special Thanks To rn• Atwoods Ranch & Home rnfor donations of wrapping paper for this years collection boxes. Bark Avenue's owner, Kyla rnCulbert prints the posters, gift wraps the collection boxes and places them at participating rnlocations, then transports donations to the SPCA as needed where they tabulate pounds rncollected. Culbert says “The rest of my responsibility is keeping the public aware of our efforts. rnThe pet food drive each year is my small contribution to support those in our local rescue rncommunity. They are truly heroes to me.” rnWhy: Shelters across the country are in dire need. Enid’s own SPCA is also in need of petrnfood and pet supply donations as it enters 2014. Past drives have barely supplied the Food rnBank for the first calendar quarter. Our Goal this year is 2000 pounds as we collected only rn1691 total pounds last year. Last year was our lowest total ever with our highest being 2713 rnin 2009 which was our very first year for the drive. In 2010 we collected 1857 as one of the 49 rnnational campaigns with 25000 total pounds reported to Pet Sitters International. That numberrnput Enid way above average as the above numbers average approximately 510 per drive.rnWhen: Donations accepted December 1-15, 2013. rnrnWhere: Donations of food, toys, treats, food dishes and pet beds etc can be dropped offrnat the following participating locations:rnrnAtwoods 5400 W. GarriottrnEvans 1108 W. WillowrnGroom Closet 2005 W. ChestnutrnJumbos West 2311 W. WillowrnPet Salon 626 N. VanBurenrnPet Sense 3410 W. GarriottrnSPCA of Enid 1116 Overland TrailrnUnited West 4110 W. GarriottrnrnrnCulbert comments “As always, we want to thank every person who donates. It's amazing how putting one bag of food in the box adds up to an overall effort that reflects well on our Pet Lovers in both Enid and the surrounding areas.”rnFor more information on The Hungry Bowl Pet Food Drive or to have a collection box placed at your business location, contact Kyla Culbert at (580)402-5529. rnrnFor more information on the Pet Food Bank program, contact Enid SPCA at (580) 233-1325.rn